CELEBRATIONS
ED DRONDOSKI
From left, brothers Lee, Robbie and Mike Adams share the history of Adams
Ranch during the Treasure Coast History Festival Saturday, Jan. 13.
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the Sexton family has taken in art, agriculture, real estate and
historical preservation.
Both the presentation at The Emerson Center and festival
in downtown Fort Pierce are part of an annual celebration of
Treasure Coast history produced by Indian River Magazine
Inc. It is co-sponsored by CenterState Bank, Southern Eagle
Distributing, East Coast Lumber & Supply Co., Main Street Fort
Pierce, the Sunrise Theatre and the Emerson Center.
“The history festival is intended to highlight significant
events and personalities along the Treasure Coast,’’ said Indian
River Magazine Publisher Gregory Enns, who is also chairman
of the festival. “We want newcomers to learn more about their
community and old-timers to help us reconnect with the past.”
A fish fry, hosted by the Summerlins, the first family of fishing
on the Treasure Coast, will begin at 11 a.m. Cost will be $12 per
plate and include fish, cole slaw, baked beans and hush puppies.
An outdoor session on the Summerlins’ fishing history will begin
at noon.
Throughout the day beginning at 9 a.m., downtown will come
alive with historical reenactors ranging from early settlers to
Seminole War soldiers who will depict life on the Treasure Coast
in the 1800s. An early cow camp, set up by seventh-generation
cattleman Rick Modine and his aunt, Joyce Teague, will also be
on display.
Trolley tours to significant Fort Pierce sites will depart at 1 and
2:30 p.m. To make required reservations, call 466.3880.
Free ghost tours led by paranormal investigator Larry Lawson
also will be held throughout the day. Registration will be taken
on the day of the festival.
Additional outdoor exhibitions will include a history of treasure
hunting on the Treasure Coast, local railway history, a history of
the St. Lucie County Fair, the history of Port St. Lucie, a history of
the architecture of William Hatcher, and a display on the Florida
Heritage Trail, which highlights significant sites in the state.
An Authors Alley will be set up and feature local authors Allen
Balough, Rick Crary, Terry Howard, Erin Lomax, O.C. Peterson,
Dana Philips and Jean Ellen Wilson. Books on Treasure Coast
history will be available from the Florida Classics Library and
books on A.E. Backus and the Highwaymen will be available from
A.E. Backus Museum and Gallery.
During the Jan. 13 celebration, Enns promises he will
announce a new project to help preserve history along the
Treasure Coast. Last year, the magazine purchased a monument
for the unmarked grave at Riverview Memorial Park of celebrated
circus performer Lucia Zora.
Questions? Call 940.9005 or email enns@indianrivermag.com.
ED DRONDOSKI
Paranormal investigator Larry Lawson leads attendees on a historical ghost
tour during last year’s Treasure Coast History Festival.
ED DRONDOSKI
Historical reenactors depicting characters from the 1800s visit with attendees
during the 2017 History Festival.
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